Phil Hay

Leeds United striker Mirco Antenucci has confirmed his departure from Elland Road in a post on Instagram last night.

The forward, who joined Leeds from Ternana in 2014 and made his 79th appearance as a substitute in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Preston North End, is at the end of the two-year contract and has not been offered a new deal.

His time at Leeds was chequered by a goal-related clause in his contract which saw him dropped towards the end of last season and he was one of six foreign players who controversially withdrew through injury ahead of a league game at Charlton Athletic a year ago, a move which was widely seen as an attempt to undermine ex-head coach Neil Redfearn.

Antenucci scored 19 league goals for the club, his last in a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers in March.

Leeds have not officially announced Antenucci’s departure but the 31-year-old’s Instagram post said: “You (the fans) were always great with me. (It) has been an honour and a privilege to have worn this historic T-shirt and trod Elland Road. This was an incredible lifetime and football experience.

“Sometimes there were misunderstandings as in all the best families but I think it’s normal. There were positive and negative moments of joy and disappointment. I always gave 100 per cent and never spared for this shirt.”

Antenucci’s exit leaves 19-year-old goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell as the only first-team player at Leeds whose contract is up this summer.

United have offered Peacock-Farrell a two-year extension but the teenager is yet to accept.